The Observer Newspapers | Volunteers Honored as 'Stars of FISH'

May 9, 2008

Volunteers Honored as 'Stars of FISH'

By Leslie Perales

Observer Staff Writer

For almost 20 years Judy Duncan and Trudy Gibson have answered the phone lines at Herndon-Reston Friendly Instant Sympathetic Help. Their voices are the first that residents hear when they call the line in search of financial assistance with rent, utilities, gasoline and other necessities.

The hotline receives more than 100 calls each day and it can be hectic, Duncan said. "But always when you finish the day, you feel like you've made just a small difference in some of the lives of people in need," she said.

For their commitment to FISH and the residents in need, Duncan and Gibson will be honored as "Stars of FISH" at the annual Fish Fling Gala and Fundraiser on Saturday night.

Duncan said she and Gibson are very pleased to have received the award, but the FISH organization is about so much more than answering calls. "Trudy and I are really just a very small part of a wonderful organization that helps so many of our neighbors in crisis," Duncan said.

Although sometimes life can be overwhelming, "if you spend one day answering this line, you realize that the problems that you face just pale in comparison to the sadness from a lot of the clients," she said.

Duncan said that because Reston is an affluent area, many people are unaware of how much the working poor struggle to provide themselves and their families with the basics. With the economic downturn and the rising costs of gasoline, healthcare and housing, one crisis in a family can result in devastation now, she said.

Many times, she said, the people that have received assistance will call them back just to thank them. "You just feel good at the end of every day," Duncan said.

Duncan began working with FISH in 1988 after FISH volunteers provided her with free transportation to physical therapy appointments. She had suffered a serious injury to her leg and during her recovery she was asked to volunteer with FISH, helping with their bookkeeping and taking calls for the family assistance program. Duncan eventually took over the help line full time, applying for a business license and forming Duncan Answering Service.

FISH volunteers also provided Gibson with transportation services, shuttling her to doctor's visits. In 1992, Gibson met Duncan, who asked if Gibson would like to volunteer to coordinate the transportation program and help take calls for the answering and referral service. Gibson had worked as a clerk with Fairfax County Social Services, but she had to leave because of health reasons. As a FISH volunteer, she is able to work from home and still provide help to those in need through the assistance line.

The Fish Fling will be held Saturday at Sallie Mae in Reston. Visit www.herndonrestonfish.org.